CSX announces first Environmental Award winners

CSX Transportation (CSXT) announced the winners of its first-annual Environmental Awards recognizing customers that have reduced their carbon emissions on the freight they ship by relying on CSX Transportation.

CSXT is recognizing 19 customers who, together in 2008 avoided over 1.2 million tons of carbon emissions by shipping with CSXT versus the highway alternative. These customers are being recognized because they led their respective industry in using CSXT to improve emissions efficiency in 2008 compared to 2007 or they led their industry using CSXT to reduce their freight emissions. In addition, by choosing to ship via rail CSXT customers also help alleviate congestion on the roads and conserve fossil fuels.

The honorees, composed of both large and small businesses, represent a diverse cross-section of CSXT’s customers. The awards will be presented at a dinner in Jacksonville on April 23, 2009. Speakers will include Clarence W. Gooden, Executive Vice President-Sales and Marketing and Chief Commercial Officer, CSX, and Louis E. Renjel, Vice President for Strategic Infrastructure Initiatives, CSX.

“By honoring our customers with this award, we want to recognize the significant environmental benefit they provide to all of us in choosing to ship by rail,” said Michael J. Ward, Chairman and CEO, CSX. “Not only are their shipping practices good business, they’re contributing substantially to a cleaner environment.”

CSXT will recognize these companies during its week-long celebration of Earth Day which includes programs across its rail network that emphasize the company’s commitment to help preserve and protect the environment.

CSXT’s environmental stewardship and leadership extends across virtually all of its operations. The company is a member of the EPA’s Climate Leaders program through which the company has committed to reducing its emissions and leveraging other means for environmental benefits. CSXT is also an award-winning and charter member of the EPA SmartWay Transportation Partnership, designed to promote voluntary reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.